Twelve Years down and Eternity to Go!

I didn't even realize how lucky I was when we got married. My top qualities I wanted in a spouse were integrity and kindness. I wanted someone who was committed to making it. Daniel has stood by me through thick and thin! 

Together we have faced many challenges. We have also shared many beautiful happy times together! Daniel has been my best friend and soul mate. There is no one I'd rather go through a pandemic and hard times with. And I'd happily spend all my time with him if I could. 

Daniel is no ordinary man. He loves to cook and do the laundry. He can find humor in even the worst of times. Whenever we are faced with a problem, he finds a way through it. We have been blessed with True Eternal Love; a Forever Family; a crazy fun life; and a wonderful posterity; great friends, a meaningful job, a life we love, and trials that have made us stronger.

We have cried together, laughed at each other and with each other, grown in our Faith together, and served together whenever possible. He has a tender heart for people of all nationalities too. Amazing! 

Everyone that knows Daniel Almeida understands that he is loyal, supportive, a spiritual leader, the child whisperer, and hilarious. He will drop anything to take care of the needs of his family, a neighbor, or a stranger. Daniel Almeida, I love you so much! Thank you for standing by my side each and every day! You are the best!! Cheers to #12 and Eternity to go! Happy Anniversary!!!

When a Visa Expires

A few weeks ago, I was not allowed to get on the boat from Uruguay to Argentina because my visa was expired. I was in shock and hated that woman who didn't let me in so that brought a memory to mind.

According to my journal on May 8, 2007 I received a call from Books Dame letting me know that Katherine Cabrera, a girl from Bolivia was not allowed to enter El Salvador because she didn't have a tourist visa. Apparently all the others who came with her were Americans and they could get their visa as they entered El Salvador but not Bolivians. I called the Consul General Herrera, in San Francisco at the time. I knew who he was very well because he is a Latter-day Saint. He told me to find out who the immigration officer, Sargent was that she saw, the Airport Director and the Director of Immigration, Nadine Albergue so he could talk to them and he did, but to no avail.

What the immigration officer told Kathy was to wait inside the airport overnight to take the first flight the next morning to San Francisco so she could see the Consul General. He called me to tell me that he would be waiting for her and as soon as he stamped her visa, she could go back on the next flight to El Salvador. Anytime this sort of thing happens, the airline gets penalized by not checking in on the proper visas when traveling internationally. They need to be current since rules change all the time.

I called my sister Liz who knows people in high places to see if anyone could do something. Like the Secretary of State but she said: "the only person that could let her in is the President or Vice-president and they are both in Washington. " The Consul General told me that he was calling the Secretary of "Gobernacion" that deals with this type of problems and not to call the President or Vice-president since I knew them personally because they are going to do whatever the Secretary of "Gobernacion" says needs to be done and he thinks he will not let her in. He was a little annoyed that I was calling everybody I knew.

I decided to still make one last call. I knew sister Lilliana Hernandez and I knew if she could help, she would. She was the Vice-Presidents's secretary so she sign a document with the permission from her boss, the Vice-President to let her in with a visa waiver. She was to be picked up and taken directly to the nearest Immigration office to get her passport stamped so she would be legal entering the country.

What did sister Hernandez resolved? Kathy didn't have to go back to San Francisco and waist two days getting a visa that could have easily be given in El Salvador and for this act of kindness by an angel, I am so grateful. The next month I was in El Salvador meeting the help International kids and said hello to Kathy. I also thanked sister Hernandez, the fact that sister Hernandez who has since passed away and was a faithful Latter-day Saint, helped resolved this issue was a miracle.

What a busy day that was but felt so good to know I tried to do anything to help this young woman and even when I was asked to not bother anyone. I followed my gut feeling instead because I knew sister Herandez could help the situation as long as it was in her power. I felt so good inside knowing that I had done something no one else could do because no one can ever enter a country without a visa.

I want to say to sister Hernandez who is in heaven. I miss you. You are literally an angel.

Con amor,

Vero

Wedding of the year!

The wedding for Alex and Gabby on Friday August 6th, 2021 was amazing! 

One day for those who came will always remember. It was beautiful and lasted a whole day! 

The only children who attended were: Manu, Mateo, Nixon, Beckett, Asher, Ruby, Norah, and Vera. 

 

Nela is 90

 

Daniel's mom, Nelida or "Nela" turned 90 years young today. All of her children and grandchildren and their families connected via zoom to wish her a happy birthday. This is week 11 in isolation. If I had known then what I know now, I would have left this place over two months ago. It feels like you are on house arrest and I don't like it!

To Stay or to Go

Today is our sixth week in isolation and it was also the last flight out of Buenos Aires on a charter flight. We had to decide to stay or to go. We prayed and felt we will be fine so we are staying.

Mission interrupted in a hurry!

On our first week in isolation, Daniel and his team have been working 24/7 tying to find ways to relocate all missionaries to return home. That is a daunting task considering that all airports in Argentina are closed and all counties are blocking all citizens to come in and out of the boundaries.

In its 190 year history of missionary work this is a first time ever the a pandemic has caused, a mandatory quarantine, shuffled around, reassigned and release missionaries around the world in a speedy manner. What a head-ache!

Home bound

Today the President of Argentina declared a curfew decree for all inhabitants to remain home starting at midnight tonight. From now until the end of March everyone should stay home. Daniel has already been working from home all of this past week anyway.

At this time of uncertainty is good to keep a gratitude journal. Each of us plays a role. And we do make a difference no matter how big or small our contribution may be.